By all means, have an epic fail.

But at some point, decide that failure is not an option.

For what it does to one, it ought to have a place in the list of 'once-in-a-lifetime' experiences.

It has the effect of bending one's learning curve at such sharp angle that one experiences growth and maturity at an exponential rate, possibly collapsing the time frame for growth from 5 to 2 years.

The impact on the psyche is immense.

After a huge blow to one's ego, that which cannot withstand the impact starts to fall apart:

the gap between one's perceived and real ability at the point in time;

arrogance and false confidence that were not tested or backed by real victories but sustained by treading on the path of least resistance / avoiding risks and challenges (so nothing could hurt them and they could carry themselves high and mighty).

Conversely, after having recovered from an epic fail, one gains comfort in knowing they are capable and strong enough to triumph over the fails. They download a real sense of confidence and strength, and are secure enough to show up in the World with openness and vulnerability, knowing that henceforth few things can hurt them as much or even bother them to begin with.

Like scar tissues that recover to become thicker than normal skin tissues, the old superficial layer is shed; growing in its place is a shield that is enhanced and fortified...one grows both in resilience and threshold.

That said, in order for failures to be the great teachers that they have the potential to be, they need to be alternated with successes. Otherwise, too many consecutive failures can crush one's confidence and self-esteem.

Failure may be a better teacher than success, but success is built on success

At some point, one needs to decide that failure is not an option - you either succeed or die trying.

No excuses. Leave no leeway for yourself. Don't create a plan B.

It may sound very counter-intuitive or extreme to many people - logic tells us to always protect ourselves.

Who would deep-dive into the unknown without having a life-line on?

Answer: Those who are no longer interested in going back.

Having something to fall back on, psychologically, as subtle as it may seem, prepares you to fail.

When you're prepared to give it your all because you've had enough; staying small is too painful; you have a message that you feel compelled to share, will you experience a breakthrough and eventually, success.